With evolving trends in house designs and furnishings, tiles have become a popular choice for all types of flooring in the house. Previously, the use of tiles was only limited to kitchens and bathrooms; however, with time it has gained a lot of demand in because of its convenience. Among all flooring tiles, marble and mosaic flooring are particularly preferred by most people.
With advancements in technology, more and more flooring tile designs came into trend offering a variety of options as well as feasibility. These tile designs come in handy for different floors; making them an essential element of any construction project. You can find a vast range of flooring tiles that are available in the market, differing as per their materials. The two most popular options are glossy and matte tiles, each depicting its aesthetic.
Depending upon your budget and aesthetics, you can choose from multiple different types of flooring tiles for your home. Marble and mosaic tiles are quite expensive, for which, most house owners have to plan their budgets smartly to meet the other needs as well.
Graana.com, Pakistan’s smartest property portal, brings you a detailed guide on the most popular types of flooring tiles that are commonly used in Pakistan.
Types of Flooring Tiles in Pakistan
With growing construction projects across Pakistan, the demand for flooring tiles has also skyrocketed. There are different types of flooring tiles in Pakistan that differ based on their manufacturing material, quality, design, and price. The following are the most demanded types of flooring tiles in Pakistan:
- Ceramic Tiles
- Porcelain Tiles
- Granite Tiles
- Slate Tiles
Following is a detailed account of each of the tiles to give you a better understanding of what might be best for your construction needs.
Ceramic Tiles
These are probably the most common type of tiles used in Pakistan for construction projects. Ceramic tiles are not only cost-effective but also durable. Their ability to match the theme of any interior décor makes them desirable for most projects. Moreover, ceramic tiles come in hundreds of designs that you can choose from
Natural white, red, or brown clay is usually used with water to manufacture these ceramic tiles. It is a five-step process that involves:
- Mining
- Blending and Mixing
- Pressing
- Glazing
- Firing
All of these processes ensure the stability and durability of flooring tiles.
The most desirable features of ceramic tiles are their long lifespan, strong abrasion resistance, and variety of applications. Ceramic tiles can be used in different types of flooring; however, they are less recommended to be used outside.
Ceramic tiles typically have a porous clay body. Because of this, there is a higher chance of damage caused by high temperatures or moisture. Extreme hot conditions cause the tiles to expand, while extreme low temperatures cause the tile to contract. Furthermore, if the adhesive material is not used properly, the tiles can break.
Ceramic tiles are available in both glazed and unglazed forms. Most unglazed ceramic tiles are manufactured for outdoor usage. Glazed tiles can be found in two varieties: matte or glossy. Glossy ceramic tiles are popularly used for their aesthetic design and look, whereas matte tiles are used for front elevations and bedrooms.
Benefits of Ceramic Tiles
- Aesthetic design and color availability
- Cost-effective
- Easy to Cut and Install
- Scratch resistant
- Permanent Colors
Porcelain Tiles
Porcelain tiles are similar to ceramic tiles in terms of their manufacturing process and materials. However, porcelain tiles are fired at greater temperatures and are composed of denser clay. Due to this reason, they are more durable and harm resistant. Their improvised resistance to extreme cold or hot temperatures, and low porosity make them the best-suited tiles for outside.
Porcelain tiles can be used in a range of commercial and domestic projects because of their strength and resistant nature. They are available in unpolished and polished finishes, textured surfaces, grip surfaces, and honed glossy finishes. Moreover, galvanized versions of these tiles can also be found in the markets; however, they are not as durable.
Porcelain tiles are also available in several designs and colors making them desirable for use inside the homes in themes with different interior decors. The patterns can also be customized as per the theme of any interior space.
Benefits of Porcelain Tiles
- Non-slip characteristics
- Highly durable
- Resistant to heat, cold, and moisture
- Scratch and abrasion-free
- Acid and chemical resistant
- Permanent colors
- Excellent hygiene
Granite Tiles
Granite is a common, coarse-grained, hard igneous rock. It is one of the most durable building materials used in almost all types of construction projects. Granite is one of the oldest materials used in the construction of buildings, which is mainly the reason why most ancient buildings have strong traces of granite.
These days, granite is a top choice for luxury homes and offices because of the aesthetic edge it offers, along with its strength. None of the synthetic materials can compete with its performance, durability, and elegance. Granite tiles are mainly used for benches, cashier desks, shelves, and tables. Other than this, granite tiles of smaller sizes are used as excellent flooring material.
Kitchen and bathroom countertops are also manufactured with granite. Due to their sheer strength and hardness, granite tiles are not easy to shape. That is why granite is cut with advanced laser technology to ensure the proper size ratio and thickness of tiles.
Benefits of Granite Tiles
- Water and moisture resistance
- High durability
- Resistant to staining and scratches
- Boost the value of the property
- Hypoallergenic floor option
- Availability of design and pattern options
- Color permanence
Slate Tiles
Slate is mined from natural mineral deposits. These tiles have a very elegant and sleek appearance making them ideal for construction projects around the world. These tiles come around as comparatively cheaper than marble and granite tiles. Slate also serves as an ideal flooring tile option because of its slip-resistant properties.
Benefits of Slate Tiles
- Highly durable
- Fire and Water-resistant
- Good for indoor and outdoor use because of moisture resistance
- Unique aesthetic appearance
- Resistant to chemical attacks
- Hypoallergenic floor option
Which type of tiles is the best for flooring?
Depending upon the features, porcelain and ceramic tiles are considered the best options for flooring. High durability, innovative designs, a variety of colors, and amazing finishing options make them the top choices. The following are different categories of tiles depending upon the finishing of tiles. These options are most commonly available for flooring.
- Matte vs. Glossy Finish
- Half-Body Vs. Full-Body Tiles
- Round-edged Vs. Laser Cut
Matte Vs. Glossy Finish
Matte finish tiles are considered to be the best choice among all tiles because of their sophisticated and non-slippery nature. They have a natural rustic finish and are generally low-maintenance. Due to their better grip, matte tiles are mostly used in bathrooms and kitchens. However, they can also be used in outdoor spaces as well.
Glossy finish tiles have a sheen that gives an outstanding appearance to the floors. They can be found in ceramic, porcelain, or granite forms. The gloss finish gives an illusion of making the room look brighter and more spacious, along with the added convenience of easy cleaning for these tiles.
Because of their slippery nature, these tiles may also highlight imperfections on floors at certain times. Thus, making it very easy to cause falling incidents. So if they are used in bathrooms or kitchens, they can be harmful to the elderly. However, keeping these disadvantages aside, these tiles are still commonly used inside homes because of the elegance it brings to the interior of a house.
Half-Body Vs. Full-Body
Manufacturing. However, there is a basic difference between both: design in half-body tiles is not spread across the whole thickness. It is rather present in the form of a thin layer on the thickness of tiles. This makes the design and color of tiles less durable. With time, the design layer pops up and colors start fading.
On the other hand, full-body tiles include designs to the whole thickness of tiles. These tiles maintain their design and colors for a long time. Full-body tiles are more durable and can withstand high pressures as well.
Half-body and full-body tiles can both be found in porcelain and ceramic patterns; however, granite tiles are not a suitable option for such kind of finishing.
Round-edged Vs. Laser Cut
Tiles differ in their manufacturing material and design. Due to the strength of the material, the cutting process of these tiles is also different. Because of extra hardness, granite tiles are usually laser-cut, which leaves sharp edges. Tiles are usually placed at a suitable distance from each other during the flooring process. Grout is filled in between the gaps.
However, ceramic tiles have round edges. Because these tiles are forged in a mold, their edges can be customized according to their use. Porcelain tiles, on the other hand, are available in both options.
Features of Flooring Tiles in Pakistan
While purchasing any tile for floors inside your home or building, you need to consider certain features. These features not only allow you to purchase the best tiles but also help you enhance the look of your interior design. Following are some of the most important features of flooring tiles in Pakistan:
- Size
- Strength
- Durability
- Pattern Availability
Let’s discuss these features in detail:
Size
Depending upon the area, flooring tiles differ in their sizes. For bathrooms, kitchens, hallways, and other parts of the building, there is a standard size of the tiles. Lounges, drawings, and dining areas have larger square tiles; however, smaller tiles are used in bathrooms.
Strength
As flooring tiles are manufactured with different materials and manufacturing processes, they differ greatly in strength. Ceramic tiles are more prone to breakage as they are manufactured with clay and water at a lower heat, as compared to porcelain tiles.
Granite tiles top the strength chart as they are manufactured from natural stone. These are highly compact and durable because of strong bonding. Therefore, granite tiles are the most reliable option.
Durability
The strength of tiles determines durability over time. Granite tiles have higher strength than all the other tiles, which means they are more durable and can withstand pressures for longer times. On the other hand, ceramic and porcelain tiles are less likely to stay safe for long periods as they are comparatively weaker than granite tiles.
Pattern Availability
Ceramic and porcelain tiles are in demand these days for use in residential or commercial projects due to the availability of patterns. Digital printing provides multiple patterns such as floral, wooden, geometric, and hundreds of others. These patterns can match the best with the interiors of buildings.
Half-body ceramic and porcelain tiles have a high number of patterns available in the market. Contrarily, full-body porcelain tiles have a limited number of patterns, because it is difficult to create numerous patterns and then fire them up. Granite tiles are made from natural stone. Therefore, they have the least patterns available in the market.
Flooring tiles are an important part of any building. Choosing the right tile for the right area is a key factor that plays a huge role in the aesthetics of your interior. The above-mentioned factors will help you make an informed decision when it comes to choosing the perfect tile for your construction needs.
For more information on flooring tiles and their types, visit Graana.com
